Kathmandu, July 28 (IANS): Nepal's Chief of Army Staff Gaurav Shumsher Rana Sunday returned from Beijing after a 10-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

Rana visited China at the invitation of General Fang Fenghui, chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army, Xinhua reported.

He led a five-member delegation of military officials during his July 19-28 visit, the Nepal Army said.

During the visit, Rana held talks with Fang and invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Nepal.

"Nepal and China have bilateral relations since ancient time. Our mutual cooperation, friendship and relations will further deepen in the days ahead," Fang said.

Nepal and China established diplomatic relations in 1955.

The two sides signed an agreement under which China will provide two mobile hospitals worth 59 million yuan (around $9.5 million). The mobile hospital will be used during natural disasters.

China also pledged an additional military support of 50 million yuan.